Creativity, Conversation and the KC Streetcar

Together with the Kansas City Art Institute, the Kansas City Streetcar Authority hosted a special art exhibition featuring never before seen art depicting the Kansas City Streetcar.

On Friday, January 29, the Kite Singleton Yard was transformed into an art gallery space featuring the inspirational designs from students of the Kansas City Art Institute MICRO agency class. Through this partnership, and through a competitive process, six designs were created and one was chosen as THE commemorative piece signifying the Grand Opening of the KC Streetcar. Madison Crabtree, junior at the Kansas City Art Institute, was recognized at the event as the winner of the KC Streetcar poster competition.

“As a native of Kansas City, it was my distinct pleasure to create art for the new KC Streetcar that combines the long and distinguished history of our city with a modern aesthetic,” Madison Crabtree said. “The simple color scheme harkens back to a style of screen printing that was prevalent when the old streetcar still existed in Kansas City,” continued Crabtree. To learn more about Madison Crabtree and her creative style, visit her website here.

According to Randy Williams, director of corporate development with the Kansas City Art Institute, “We were excited to work with the Kansas City Streetcar Authority to produce this exciting work that will become a part of Kansas City’s history.” The partnership was part of the college’s Sponsored Studio program that encourages partnerships with area businesses to find solutions for research and development or creative design challenges.

The other Kansas City Art Institute students involved in the competition include Alicia Marie Wyatt; Emily Woodson; Eren Russo; Karolina Akimov; and Kate Dittman. All six posters are on display at the Kite Singleton Yard. Photos of the artists, with their art, can be found on our website at kcstreetcar.org as well as our Instagram feed at instagram.com/kcstreetcar.

For more information about each artist, please visit their websites below: